Foundation garment

ABSTRACT

A foundation garment including a torso-encircling frame having superimposed thereon two continuous wrap-around bands. The wraparound bands cooperate with the frame of the garment to form zones of single, double and triple thicknesses of stretch material in accordance with control and release characteristics desired in selected body areas to selectively control and shape the figure of the wearer.

[ Apr. 15, 1975 FOUNDATION GARMENT 9/1974 Brooks................................128/547 Inventor: Jack J. Locascio, Bayonne, NJ.

[73] Assignee: Rapid-American Corporation, New p i E i V L ki York, NY.

Attorney, Agent, or FirmStewart J. Fried; Jeffrey A. Schwab 22 Filed: Oct. 3, 1974 21 Appl. No.: 512,271

[57] ABSTRACT A foundation garment including a torso-encircling frame having superimposed thereon two continuous wrap-around bands. The wrap-around bands cooper- 9 HR.) 5 M 1 h c u r u a e n S ll C s Uhm 11.] 2 00 555 1.11

ate with the frame of the garment to form zones of single, double and triple thicknesses of stretch material in accordance with control and release characteristics desired in selected body areas to selectively control and shape the figure of the wearer.

128/539 128/546 Krieger............................... 128/541 24 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures 3,395,712 8/1968 Laguzzi......................... 3,431,913 3/1969 Bugnon et a1... 3,459,193 8/1969 PATENTEBAPR 1 sms SHEET 1 2 FOUNDATION GARMENT This invention relates to girdles and similar foundation garments and. more particularly. to an improved girdle construction for selectively controlling and supporting the torso.

Women wear girdles to eliminate or compensate for given figure problems. Recognizing this need. a myriad of garments have been developed over the years directed to reproportioning. toning and triming the torso. The predominant concern of many wearers is to control and flatten the abdominal area. and there have been many attempts to deal with this problem. Prior workers have also attempted to provide figure control to one or more other zones of the torso. These include not only the abdominal area. but the waistline area, the thighs. the hips. and the derriere.

Control of each of these zones has its own special problems. While abdominal control is desirable. it is undesirable to so constrict the area that movement results in discomfort. While waistline control is desirable. it is undesirable to have rolling up or pinching in the waistline area or provide too restrictive a force so as to impede emplacement on the body. Similarly. hip and thigh control should not result in binding and riding up and derriere control should not be restrictive.

1n considering and attempting to solve figure control problems, it must be always kept in mind that the resulting garment must be comfortable to the wearer. In addition. since the garment is in the nature of a cos metic. its aesthetics under clothing must be pleasing and give a natural line to the torso. The garment should also be of simple lines and construction, light in weight and soft. The attainment of these aims is not simple. since many of the aims are not really consistent. one to the other. For example. many prior workers have sought solution to some. if not all of these problems. through the provision of specially placed panels over selected body areas or zones. They have dealt with each body zone separately. seeking to isolate the prob [em and individually deal with it. This is seen most clearly in the area of abdominal control where it has been the general practice in the art where firm control is desired to provide a separate abdominal panel which does not stretch in the horizontal direction.

As a result. many multiple-panelled garments have been developed which include many seam lines and a garment having a greater bulk and weight. An example of a prior art garment which attempts to control and support the body zones through the use of many panels is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3.459.193. The girdle disclosed in this patent includes a frame or base layer body portion which encircles the body of the wearer and is formed from a single layer of elastic material. such as power net. A second thickness of like material in the form of separate panels is then attached to the body portion of the girdle in certain selected areas or zones. A horizontally non-stretchable panel is superimposed over the abdominal area; Tshaped panels are applied to the hip areas; and a U-shaped buttock panel is applied. Each zone is considered separately, one from the other. with a clear line of demarcation and function between zones.

1n contradistinction. the garment of the present invention is so constructed that firm abdominal control is provided without the necessity for a horizontally nondistensible abdominal panel and allows an integration of the various zones to provide a smooth transition and cooperation between the zones. rather than having separate panels which force the body of the wearer into conforming to the location of the panels. In this manner. the garment can more naturally accommodate and function on various figure types and adjust to the figure variations of a wearer.

The present invention provides these attributes in a simple construction. While each constituent may be segmented. only three basic constituents are required. i.e.. a body frame and two bands. The basic bodyencircling frame is preferably formed of a two-way stretch material having elastic properties. such as power net. Superimposed thereon and connected thereto are two wrap-around bands preferably also of like material. The bands wrap around the body frame of the girdle so as to overlie selected anatomical zones and cross each other in the front medial portion of the body-encircling frame. The wrap-around bands cooperate with the body frame of the garment to provide the desired control and release to the lower torso with the continuity of the wrap-around bands providing cooperative interaction between the various areas of the garment.

Although girdles have employed wrap-around bands in the past. they have generally been ancillary to a panelled construction. For example. U.S. Pat. No. 3.431.913 discloses a foundation garment in which a pair of crossed elastic strips extend over a nondistensible abdominal panel at the front of the girdle. The elastic strips are secured to the non-distensible panel thus nullifying the elastic properties of the strips where they cross each other. It is the non-distensible panel which provides the main control for the abdomen.

The girdle of the present invention through its unique implementation of crossing bands as part of the primary controlling structure provides significant advantages over the prior art. The wrap-around bands cross over each other and are secured to the front of the body frame. The bands extend beyond their cross over area and are secured to the body frame beyond the central abdominal region of the wearer. When the garment is emplaced on the body of a wearer. the body frame and the bands are placed under tension. This force or pull thus creates a firm holding in force at the central frontal regions to control the abdomen of the wearer.

Although a firm control is provided, the present invention in its preferred embodiment allows for the retention of some stretch in the central region. Thus. unlike a garment having. a horizontally non-distensible central panel. the present garment provides the additional comfort feature of allowing the girdle to move naturally and accommodate itself to the body of the wearer.

Preferably. the body frame is oriented so that the elastomer within its stretch fabric structure is oriented in a substantially horizontal or girthwise direction about the body. Preferably. as applied to the body frame. the elastomer of the crossed bands at the front of the girdle is disposed in a direction on a bias with the elastomer of the body frame. The ability of the central frontal region of the girdle to stretch is thus further restricted. providing a firmer holding in force.

The present invention in its preferred form also emwhich would tend to distort them or the body frame.-

This additionally provides a firm anchorage for the bands, enhancing the control which is applied to the body of the wearer. The extension of the bands beyond the front of the garment to the rear waist and rear thighs provides the additional benefit of framing the hips and derriere of the wearer to provide a natural and shapely appearance to these body areas.

This simple structure avoids the need for attaching one or more discontinuous control panels to selected areas of the body frame of the garment. Desired control and support are provided to all of the body areas of major concern, i.e., the abdominal area, the waistline area, and the thighs, while allowing for the desired natural appearance of the hips and derriere.

Preferably, each of the wrap-around bands is a single continuous band formed of a unitary piece of two-way stretch material. A first one of these bands extends about the body frame of the girdle from the waist area at the center of the back of the girdle, about the upper hip and waist area on one side of the girdle, and diagonally across the entire front of the girdle from the waist area down to the thigh area on the opposite side of the garment. The lower portion of the band extends about the lower hip and the back of the thigh area, terminating at the back of the crotch of the girdle. A like second wrap-around band extends about the body frame of the girdle in a similar manner, but in a direction opposite to the first wrap-around band so that the two bands cross and overlie one another in the medial frontal area. The bands are attached along their outer edges to the body portion of the girdle.

The resulting construction provides zones of single, double and triple thickness which provide control not only to the body zones over which they extend, but also serve to frame and control adjacent areas.

In the abdominal region of the garment, there are double and triple thicknesses of material to control and support the abdominal region of the wearer. Where the two wrap-around bands cross over each other in the front of the garment, a three-ply control zone results. This three-ply zone overlies the central and most critical area of the abdomen. Substantially surrounding this three-ply zone, there are zones of double thickness which extend up toward the waist area and down toward the thigh area. These two-ply control zones provide further control and support to the abdomen.

With respect to the waistline region at the front and 1 back of the garment, the wrap-around bands overlap the body frame of the garment to form a two-ply zone or region for controlling and supporting substantially the entire waistline area. A twoply zone of stretch material having a higher modulus of elasticity is employed in the waistline area as it provides the control necessary for the waist, but providing sufficient release so that the garment can be comfortably put on.

Regions surrounding the wrap-around bands are of single thickness as they include only the body frame of the girdle. In the front of the garment, below the wraparound bands, these regions are somewhat triangular in configuration and cover the front thigh regions of the wearer. It is advantageous that the front thigh regions of the garment be of a simple ply to provide the necessary release or stretch which is desirable when a woman's torso elongates, such as when she bends, walks, etc. Preferably front garter attachments are affixed to these single-ply regions of the garment to provide a strain relief between hosiery and the girdle when the wearer is walking, etc.

At the back of the garment, the wrap-around bands overlap the back of the thighs of the wearer and provide additional regions of two-ply control. This greater control is desired in these rear thigh regions to redistribute body flesh away from the region below the derriere so that the upper thighs appear trimmer and at the same time enhance the appearance of the derriere.

The derriere region being the single thickness of the body frame allows for greater stretch in the area. Because of the extension of the bands about the rear waist and thigh, a frame extends about the derriere region with support from underneath to give the derriere a natural and shapely appearance.

Framing and shaping is also provided to the hip regions. The double thickness of material in the waist and upper hip areas and the thigh areas frames the single ply central hip region.

The wrap-around bands are secured to the body frame in a manner such that the predominant lines of stretch of each band are in the direction in which the band longitudinally extends along the body frame of the garment and the predominant lines of stretch of the body frame of the garment are in a direction parallel to the waistline of the wearer. The predominant lines of stretch between the various plies are on a bias with respect to each other. This further increases the control in the regions where two or more layers are attached to each other.

The above brief description as well as further features and advantages of the present invention will be more fully appreciated by reference to the following detailed description, when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a preferred form of a panty girdle embodying the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view, taken on the line 2-2 of FIG. 1 and looking in the direction of the arrows, illustrating the interior of the hip zone of the girdle of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view, taken on the line 33 in FIG. 2 and looking in the direction of the arrows, illustrating the internal structure of the girdle ofthe present invention and the overlapping arrangement of the wrap-around bands and body frame of the girdle in the abdominal zone;

FIG. 4 is a detailed view of the wrap-around bands of the present invention removed from the body portion of the girdle and spread out flat to illustrate the details of construction;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view, taken on the line 55 in FIG. 3 and looking in the direction of the arrows, illustrating the wrap-around bands superimposed on the interior rear wall of the body frame of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a front perspective view of a preferred form of an open end girdle embodying the principles of the present invention, illustrating the general arrangement of the wrap-around bands;

FIG. 7 is a rear perspective view of the girdle of FIG. 6 showing the general arrangement of the wrap-around bands; and

FIG. 8 is an clevational view of one side of the open girdle shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrating the hip zone of the girdle.

Referring now specifically to FIGS. 1 through 5 of the drawings. there is shown a panty girdle generally designated by the reference numeral 10 embodying the principles of the present invention. Panty girdle 10 includes a frame or body-encircling portion 12 having a waist edge 14 at its upper edge and leg extensions 16 at the lower end thereof. As shown in FIG. 5, leg extensions 16 may be seamed along vertical seams 1611. If desired, waist edge 14 may be provided with an internal elastic waistband l8 and elastic leg bands 20 may be provided about the lower edges of leg extensions 16, as is well known. Body portion 12 is formed from a layer of two-way stretch elastic material, such as power net, made up of two body halves 12a, 12b that are seamed together at the front of the garment along seam line 22 and are seamed together at the back of the garment along seam line 24. Of course. if desired, body portion 12 may be formed from only a single piece of material with only a single seam being employed.

Superimposed on the interior walls of body portion 12 are first and second wrap-around bands 30, 32 which are secured to body portion 12 by respective lines of stiching 31, 33 along their respective outer edges. As shown most clearly in FIG. 4, wrap-around bands 30. 32 are attached along their respective side edges a. 30b and 32a. 32b to body portion 12 and to waist edge 14 along respective upper edges 30c. 32c, with upper rear edges 30:1. 32d in relative juxtaposition (see FIG. 5) and also attached to body portion 12. Referring to the lower ends of wrap-around bands 30, 32, they are attached to the lower edges of leg extension seams 16a along respective edges 30f. 32f. The securement of the wraparound bands 30, 32 to the body portion 12 is accomplished in a manner which does not destroy the ability of the elements to stretch, such as by zig-zag stiching or other means known in the art.

Wrap-around bands 30, 32 are preferably each formed from unitary strips of two-way stretch elastic material. such as power net, having their predominant lines of stretch indicated by arrows 34, 36. Each band extends about body portion 12 to form various zones or regions about the garment which will now be identified for purposes of clarity. There is a central abdominal control zone 40 which is defined by the portions of wraparound bands 30, 32 which overlie each other in the medial frontal area of the garment and form a substantially diamond-shaped configuration. Surrounding this central abdominal control zone 40, there are preipheral abdominal control zones 42a, 42b. 42c, and 42d which are formed by wrap-around bands 30, 32 extending from abdominal zone 40 up toward the waist area and down toward the thigh areas. Between waist edge 14 and upper peripheral abdominal zones 42a, 42c, wrap-around bands 30, 32 form respective front waist control zones 44a. 44/2.

Although there is no fixed boundary line that can be drawn between peripheral abdominal zones 42a, 42(' and respective front waist control zones 44a. 44b as one region merges into an adjacent region, it should be understood that there are general boundary areas. For example. front waist control zones 44a, 44b may be defined by these portions of respective bands 30, 32 which overlie the general waist area of a wearer and peripheral abdominal control zones 42a. 42b, 42c and 42d may be defined by those portions of respective bands 30, 32 which overlie the peripheral abdominal areas of a wearer. By not having fixed boundary lines, the garment of the present invention integrates the various zones, providing a smooth transition and cooperation between the zones so that the garment can more naturally accommodate and function on various figure types and adjust to figure variations of a wearer.

By integration of the various zones of the garment, separate panels conforming to the size or shape of various body zones of the wearer need not be employed. Thus the three ply, central abdominal control zone 40 provides a centralized force for controlling the abdomen and it is surrounded by the two-ply peripheral control zones to provide necessary support for the entire abdominal region.

At the front of the garment, below wrap-around bands 30, 32 there are regions referred to herein as front thigh zones 46a, 46b which are formed by the front and side portions of leg extendions 16.

Referring now to FIG. 2, there is shown one of the hip control zones of the garment of the present invention which includes a central hip zone 48 bounded at its upper extent by lower edge 32b of wrap-around band 32 and at its lower extent by upper edge 30a of wrap-around band 30. Above central hip zone 48 there is an upper hip control zone 50 which is defined by wrap-around band 32 as it extends about the upper hip and waist of the wearer. Below central hip zone 48 there is a lower hip control zone 52 which is formed by wrap-around band 30 as it extends about the lower hip and upper thigh of the wearer.

FIG. 5 illustrates the interior of the rear of the garment of the present invention. Wrap-around bands 30, 32 form respective rear waist control zones 54a, 54b and respective rear thigh control zones 56a. 56b. The rear waist control zones 54a. 54b and rear thigh control zones 56a, 56b cooperate with body portion 12 to provide a framing and shaping arrangement for the derriere region or zone 58. Since this is a panty girdle, a closed crotch 60 is also provided to complete the garment. 1

The garment thus provides control and support to such critical body areas as the abdomen, the waist, the upper and lower hips, and the rear thigh regions, while at the same time providing release or stretch in desired regions such as in the derriere, central hips and front thigh regions and a smooth transition between regions. The body-encircling portion 12 encircles the torso to provide moderate control and shaping and give a natural and simple line to the torso. As body-encircling portion 12 is formed of only a single layer of two-way stretch material, as indicated by arrows 62 in FIG. 1, those areas or zones of the garment which are not overlapped by wrap-around bands 30, 32 provide less control and more release than in those zones overlapped by bands 30, 32. At the front of garment 10, front thigh control zones 46a, 46b below respective wrap-around bands 30, 32 overlie the front thighs and provide the necessary release or stretch which is desirable in these body areas when a womans torso is elongated to walk. bend. etc. The front garter attachments 64 are preferably affixed to these single ply regions of the garment to provide a strain relief between hosiery and the girdle when the wearer is walking. etc.

Another zone of the garment which includes only the single thickness of stretch material of body-encircling portion 12 is derriere zone 58. As shown in FIG. 5., the

single ply of derriere zone 58 is surrounded and cooperates with the double ply control of the rear waist zones 54a. 54b and with the double ply control in rear thigh control zones 56a. 5612. This construction allows the body flesh of the wearer to be redistributed away from the waist area and rear thigh regions to provide a desirable framing and shaping arrangement to the derriere so that the derriere is provided with a natural and shapely appearance.

The garment of the present invention also provides a desirable natural and shapely appearance to central hip zones 48, as shown most clearly in FIG. 2. Central hip zone 48 of the present garment is constructed from the single thickness of stretch material of body-encircling portion 12 to allow for greater stretch and release in this zone. However, upper hip and waist control zone 50 and lower hip and thigh control zone 52 surround or frame central hip zone 48 with double ply control. The cooperation between these zones allows the body flesh of the wearer to be redistributed away from the upper and lower hip zones to provide a desirable framing and shaping arrangement to central hip zones 48 so that the central hips are also provided with a natural and shapely appearance.

Where the wrap-around bands 30, 32 are superimposed on body-encircling portion 12, this simple and economical constructional arrangement advantageously provides the desired amounts of restriction in the body areas of major concern for comfortably controlling figure problems. Body portion l2 and the two wrap-around bands 30. 32 cooperate to form areas or zones of double and triple thickness of stretch material in which the multiple plies impart the control characteristics desired in selected body areas. It is characteristic of two-way stretch materials, such as power net. to have the lowest modulus of elasticity in those areas where there is only one ply or thickness of material. However. in those areas or zones where there are two plies of stretch material attached to each other. the modulus of elasticity is not merely doubled, but is greater than twice the modulus in single ply regions so that these regions of the garment have more than double the resistance to stretch than in single thickness arcas. Similarly. in an area of triple thickness of stretch material. the modulus value is even greater so that the garment has the greatest resistance to stretch in a triple thickness area.

Each of the wrap-around bands 30, 32 has been shaped to extend only through those body zones which require increased control and support while cooperating with the single ply of body portion 12 to frame and control those body areas in which a natural and shapely appearance is desired. Further, in the preferred embodiment, the wrap-around bands 30, 32 terminate at the rear of the garment so as to provide anchorage to the bands. enhance frontal control and deter undesirable distortion of the girdle when subjected to the forces exerted by the body during wear. As set further above, this arrangement additionally provides a frame for the hip and derriere.

In the abdominal region of the garment. the central abdominal control zone 40 includes three plies of material to control the central and most critical area of the abdominal and the garment has the greatest resistance to stretch and the most restriction and control in this area. In peripheral abdominal control zones 42a. 42b. 42c and 42d surrounding central abdominal control zone 40 the two-ply control zones provide further control and support to the peripheral areas of the abdomen and a desirable transition from three ply, central abdominal control zone 40 to the single ply zones of the garment.

Since the peripheral abdominal control zones 42a- 42b. 42c and 42d extend into the front waist control zones 44a, 44b. and lower hip control zones 52 without any fixed boundary lines as to where one region of control ends and where another begins. cooperation and coaction between the various control zones is provided by the continuous wrap-around bands 30. 32. However. as explained above, there are general boundary areas defined by that portion of respective bands 30. 32 which overlie the various body zones of the wearer.

With respect to the waist region at the front and back of garment 10 of the present invention, there is a twoply control zone for controlling and supporting substantially the entire waistline area. These waistline control zones include front waist control zones 44a. 44b. rear waist control zones 54a. 54b, and upper hip and waist control zones 50 which are between the respective front and rear waist control zones. They provide the moderate control necessary for the waist without being so unduly restrictive as to impede the ready emplacement of the garment on the body. Further. in cooperation with central hip zones 48, desirable shaping,

to the central hip zones is provided and in cooperation with the single ply derriere zone 58, a natural and shapely appearance to the derriere is provided.

With respect to the rear of the garment shown in FIG. 5, wrap-around bands 30, 32 overlap body portion 12 of the garment to form two-ply control zones for controlling respective rear thigh zones 56a, 56b. This higher modulus of elasticity and moderate control is desired in these rear thign regions so that the soft body flesh can be redistributed away from the rear thigh zones 56a. 56b below the derriere. The upper thighs appear trimmer and at the same time cooperate with derriere zone 58 to enhance the appearance and shape of the derierre. Rear garter attachments 66 are affixed to these regions of the garment to provide the necessary support to hosiery. etc.

In H08. 6 through 8 there is illustrated an open end girdle embodying the principles of the present inventon. The structure of the body portion of the girdle and the arrangement of the two wrap-around bands ia functionally and structurally similar to that of the previously described panty girdle shown in FIGS. 1 through 5 so that like reference numerals have been used to indicate like parts. The wrap-around bands of the open end girdle extend through and similarly support and control the same body zones as in the panty girdle. such as the waistline area, the abdomen. the hips and the rear thigh regions as well as coact with the body portion of the girdle to provide the necessary release and stretch characteristics to the front thigh regions. the central hip zones and the derriere. Of course. as there are no leg extensions and crotch piece in the open end girdle. the wraparound bands only partially wrap around the rear thigh regions. However. sufflcient support and control is provided in the rear thigh regions to accomplish the objectives and advantages discussed with respect to the panty girdle.

While the drawings and description have specifically referred to panty and open girdles. it should be appreciated that the construction may be advantageously employed in other body constrictive garments. such as. for example. corselettes and briefs.

Although this invention has been described with respect to its preferred embodiments. it should be understood that many variations and modifications will now be obvious to those skilled in the art. and it intended. therefore. that the scope of the invention be limited. not by the specific disclosure herein. only by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

l. A body constricting garment adapted to encircle and control at least the lower torso of a wearer comprising:

a. a body-encircling frame at least the frontal portion of which includes stretch material. said bodyencircling frame adapted to encircle at least the lower torso of a wearer from the waist area to the thigh area; and two bands superimposed on and secured to said bodyencircling frame. each band extending from circumferentially spaced-apart areas at the upper front portion of said body frame and diagonally across the central frontal portion of said body frame to circumferentially spaced-apart areas at the lower front thigh area of said body frame so that said bands cross each other. said bands and said body frame having the ability to stretch where said bands cross whereby control and support areas are provided to selected frontal regions of said garment.

2. A garment in accordance with claim 1 wherein substantially said entire body-encircling frame is stretchable.

3. A garment in accordance with claim 2 wherein said bands are stretchable and the predominant directions of elasticity of said bands are on a bias with re spect to each other and with respect to the predominant direction of elasticity of said body frame.

4. A garment in accordance with claim 1 wherein said bands have the ability to stretch along their entire extent.

5. A garment in accordance with claim 1 wherein said bands are secured along their peripheral edges to said body-encircling frame.

6. A garment in accordance with claim 5 wherein said bands are secured to the interior of said bodyencircling frame.

7. A garment in accordance with claim 1 wherein each of said bands is formed from a unitary continuous strip.

8. A garment in accordance with claim 1 wherein each of said bands include respective upper edges. lower edges and side edges. the upper edges of each of said bands being secured to the upper portion of said body frame and the lower edges of each of said bands being secured to the lower portion of said body frame.

9. A garment in accordance with claim 1 wherein the upper portion of each band extends beyond the front portion of said body frame to the waist area at the rear of said body frame so that said bands are adjacent to each other at the rear of said garment.

10. A garment in accordance with claim 1 wherein the lower portion of each band extends beyond the front portion of said body frame to the thigh areas at the rear of said body frame.

11. A garment in accordance with claim 1 wherein said bands extend beyond the front portion of said body frame to the waist and thigh areas at the rear of said body frame. the extension of said bands to the rear of said garment defining a frame for the hip and derriere of the wearer.

12. A garment in accordance with claim I wherein said body frame and bands are stretchable and wherein each of said bands is formed from a unitary continuous strip and are secured to the interior of said body frame along the peripheral edges of said bands whereby the front of said garment includes single. double and triple ply control areas.

13. A garment in accordance with claim 12 wherein said single ply control area includes the front thigh areas of said body frame.

14. A garment in accordance with claim 12 wherein said triple ply control area includes the cross over central frontal portion of said body frame.

15. A garment inaccordance with claim 14 wherein said double ply control area substantially surrounds said triple ply control area.

16. A garment in accordance with claim 1 wherein said body constricting garment is a panty girdle including leg extensions and a crotch piece and wherein said bands extend over a portion of said leg extensions.

17. A body constricting garment adapted to encircle and control at least the lower torso from the waist area to the thigh area of the wearer comprising:

a body-encircling and molding frame. the major por tion of which is stretchable. and adapted to encircle at least the lower torso. said frame having zones extending over the waist. abdomen. hips. thighs and derriere of the wearer. and means for controlling selected Zones of the body including:

first and second stretchable wrap-around bands secured to said body-encircling frame and extending oppositely from the waist zone at the rear of said garment. about the waist zone and over respective upper hip zones. and diagonally crossing each other about the abdominal zone to respective thigh zones. and then wrapping around respective and opposed lower hip zones and across respective rear thigh zones. said bands forming an X configuration along the front of said garment.

18. A garment in accordance with claim 17 wherein said first and second wrap-around bands extend continuously about said body frame.

l9. A garment in accordance with claim 18 wherein said wrap-around bands are each a single continuous strip secured to the interior of said body frame.

20. A garment in accordance with claim 19 wherein said body frame and said bands are two-way stretch material and the stretch lines of said bands are on a bias with respect to each other and with respect to the stretch lines of said body frame.

21. A garment in accordance with claim 17 wherein said wrap-around bands and said body frame are oriented with respect to each other to form an abdominal control zone where said bands cross over and overlap to define a central area of three plies of stretch material and a peripheral area of two plies of stretch material substantially surrounding said central area.

22. A garment in accordance with claim 17' wherein said wrap-around bands and said body frame are oriented with respect to each other such that front and rear waist control zones including two plies of stretch material are provided.

23. A garment in accordance with claim 22 wherein said wrap-around bands and said body frame are oriented with respect to each other to form rear thigh control zones having two plies of stretch material which comaterial are provided to frame a central hip zone. 

1. A body constricting garment adapted to encircle and control at least the lower torso of a wearer comprising: a. a body-encircling frame at least the frontal portion of which includes stretch material, said body-encircling frame adapted to encircle at least the lower torso of a wearer from the waist area to the thigh area; and b. two bands superimposed on and secured to said bodyencircling frame, each band extending from circumferentially spaced-apart areas at the upper front portion of said body frame and diagonally across the central frontal portion of said body frame to circumferentially spaced-apart areas at the lower front thigh area of said body frame so that said bands cross each other, said bands and said body frame having the ability to stretch where said bands cross whereby control and support areas are provided to selected frontal regions of said garment.
 2. A garment in accordance with claim 1 wherein substantially said entire body-encircling frame is stretchable.
 3. A garment in accordance with claim 2 wherein said bands are stretchable and the predominant directions of elasticity of said bands are on a bias with respect to each other and with respect to the predominant direction of elasticity of said body frame.
 4. A garment in accordance with claim 1 wherein said bands have the ability to stretch along their entire extent.
 5. A garment in accordance with claim 1 wherein said bands are secured along their peripheral edges to said body-encircling frame.
 6. A garment in accordance with claim 5 wherein said bands are secured to the interior of said body-encircling frame.
 7. A garment in accordance with claim 1 wherein each of said bands is formed from a unitary continuous strip.
 8. A garment in accordance with claim 1 wherein each of said bands include respective upper edges, lower edges and side edges, the upper edges of each of said bands being secured to the upper portion of said body frame and the lower edges of each of said bands being secured to the lower portion of said body frame.
 9. A garment in accordance with claim 1 wherein the upper portion of each band extends beyond the front portion of said body frame to the waist area at the rear of said body frame so that said bands are adjacent to each other at the rear of said garment.
 10. A garment in accordance with claim 1 wherein the lower portion of each band extends beyond the front portion of said body frame to the Thigh areas at the rear of said body frame.
 11. A garment in accordance with claim 1 wherein said bands extend beyond the front portion of said body frame to the waist and thigh areas at the rear of said body frame, the extension of said bands to the rear of said garment defining a frame for the hip and derriere of the wearer.
 12. A garment in accordance with claim 1 wherein said body frame and bands are stretchable and wherein each of said bands is formed from a unitary continuous strip and are secured to the interior of said body frame along the peripheral edges of said bands whereby the front of said garment includes single, double and triple ply control areas.
 13. A garment in accordance with claim 12 wherein said single ply control area includes the front thigh areas of said body frame.
 14. A garment in accordance with claim 12 wherein said triple ply control area includes the cross over central frontal portion of said body frame.
 15. A garment in accordance with claim 14 wherein said double ply control area substantially surrounds said triple ply control area.
 16. A garment in accordance with claim 1 wherein said body constricting garment is a panty girdle including leg extensions and a crotch piece and wherein said bands extend over a portion of said leg extensions.
 17. A body constricting garment adapted to encircle and control at least the lower torso from the waist area to the thigh area of the wearer comprising: a body-encircling and molding frame, the major portion of which is stretchable, and adapted to encircle at least the lower torso, said frame having zones extending over the waist, abdomen, hips, thighs and derriere of the wearer, and means for controlling selected zones of the body including: first and second stretchable wrap-around bands secured to said body-encircling frame and extending oppositely from the waist zone at the rear of said garment, about the waist zone and over respective upper hip zones, and diagonally crossing each other about the abdominal zone to respective thigh zones, and then wrapping around respective and opposed lower hip zones and across respective rear thigh zones, said bands forming an X configuration along the front of said garment.
 18. A garment in accordance with claim 17 wherein said first and second wrap-around bands extend continuously about said body frame.
 19. A garment in accordance with claim 18 wherein said wrap-around bands are each a single continuous strip secured to the interior of said body frame.
 20. A garment in accordance with claim 19 wherein said body frame and said bands are two-way stretch material and the stretch lines of said bands are on a bias with respect to each other and with respect to the stretch lines of said body frame.
 21. A garment in accordance with claim 17 wherein said wrap-around bands and said body frame are oriented with respect to each other to form an abdominal control zone where said bands cross over and overlap to define a central area of three plies of stretch material and a peripheral area of two plies of stretch material substantially surrounding said central area.
 22. A garment in accordance with claim 17 wherein said wrap-around bands and said body frame are oriented with respect to each other such that front and rear waist control zones including two plies of stretch material are provided.
 23. A garment in accordance with claim 22 wherein said wrap-around bands and said body frame are oriented with respect to each other to form rear thigh control zones having two plies of stretch material which cooperate with said rear waist control zones to frame the derriere of the wearer.
 24. A garment in accordance with claim 17 wherein said wrap-around bands and said body frame are oriented with respect to each other such that upper and lower hip control zones including two plies of stretch material are provided to frame a central hip zone. 